The school year is looming and so are standardized tests.
With many tests moving out of test optional after the COVID-19 pandemic, it's crucial to be prepared for the standardized test when it comes your way.
But here's the big question: SAT or ACT?
Well, other than that they are both three-letter abbreviations, the SAT and the ACT are actually quite different standardized tests to take in terms of structure, timing, content, and scoring.
Don't fear if you're unsure which one you should try. Here's an in-depth explanation of everything you need to consider when making your choice.
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Format of the SAT and ACT
The SAT has now become a digital and adaptive test, resulting in a shorter test of two hours and 14 minutes rather than three hours. With the adaptive format, how students do on a set of test questions determines the difficulty of subsequent questions. The new SAT is broken down into two sections: a 64-minute reading and writing section and a 70-minute math section.
On the other hand, the ACT is a paper test and two hours and 55 minutes long, though the 40-minute optional writing test would stretch that to a little more than three and a half hours. The ACT consists of a 35-minute reading test, 45-minute English test, 60-minute math section and 35-minute science test. The science section is an extra section not present in the SAT. The ACT is overall longer than the SAT.
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What about Timing?
The SAT generally offers more time per question than the ACT. If you prefer to take your time to think through questions or if you tend to lose focus easily, the SAT might be a better choice. The SAT’s recent changes have also streamlined reading passages, making them shorter and more focused, with fewer questions per passage.
The ACT has a much faster pace, with less time allotted per question. Although the ACT’s English questions are generally considered easier, the shorter time frame can be challenging for some students.
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The Science Section?
While the ACT contains a section entirely devoted to science, the SAT does not. Like the other three ACT sections, Science is one-fourth of your total ACT score. So if you're a strong science kid, the ACT is probably the better fit for you to maximize your score.
The SAT also incorporates scientific concepts in its Reading and Writing and Math sections but does not have a separate Science section. So, if you prefer a more integrated approach to science, the SAT may be a better fit.
Math, math, math?
In regard to math content, the ACT tests a wider variety of more difficult math concepts that the SAT doesn't focus on as much.
To start, the ACT has a much larger focus on geometry, trigonometry, and a few concepts that the SAT doesn't test at all. These include things such as matrices, graphs of trig functions, and logarithms.
So what does all this mean for you? If you're good at algebra and data analysis, you'll likely do well on the SAT. But if you're a fan of higher level math like trig functions and geometry and are comfortable with matrices and logs, the ACT is a better choice.
Formula Sheet
Also, another thing to keep in mind: the SAT provides you with a sheet of math formulas, whereas the ACT does not.
Unlike the SAT, the ACT doesn't give you any formulas on test day, meaning you absolutely must memorize all potential formulas before taking the test. If you're concerned you might forget certain formulas, the SAT offers a little more help than the ACT does.
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Answer Choices
The ACT offers five answer choices for each question, while the SAT provides four. This means that if you need to guess, the SAT slightly increases your chances of selecting the correct answer, giving you a marginal advantage.
Grading and Scoring
The SAT is scored on a scale of 400 to 1600. This total score is the sum of your scores from the two main sections: Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and Math. Each section is scored between 200 and 800 points.
The ACT is on a 1-36 scale and your composite score is the average of your scores from the four required sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science. Each of these sections is scored between 1 and 36.
Well, that takes us through the entirety of both tests. If you’re still not sure which test to take, don’t worry. Look through some practice SATs and ACTs and see if that can help you make your decision. Good luck and remember that preparation is the key to mastering whichever test you choose.
